Data and analysis from the Fifth Edition of The Death Penalty: A Worldwide Perspectiveshow that an increasing number of countries are abolishing the death penalty. By Professors Roger Hood and Carolyn Hoyle. (06/30/2015)

The World Bank invites researchers, academics, designers, students, and practitioners from around the world to explore and use the World Bank’s recently released dataset on urban spatial expansion in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region. See details inside.

In this GRI Weekly Risk Outlook: ASEAN pushes for ‘code of conduct’ in South China Sea dispute, the Fed to maintain its current monetary policy stance, and the African Union and others attempt to broker an agreement in South Sudan. (Global Risk Insights, 01/28/2015).

New U.S. consumer sentiment data to keep improving. Central Banks in Armenia and Turkey to deal with rouble and Fed policy. Second round of voting in Greek presidential elections. (Global Risk Insights, 12/22/2014)

Author argues Chinese military buildup will only strengthen existing bilateral security deals of neighboring countries and open new ones, primarily with the US. By Dr. Anis H. Bajrektarevic. (05/20/2012)

Last week was supposed to see Japan host the first trilateral Japan-China-South Korea summit, but it was postponed indefinitely with the resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. With economic, security and territorial issues on the table, analysts predict a bumpy relationship ahead. By Jason Miks (This article first appeared on UPI Asia, 10/01/2008)

Author discusses the implications of recent cuts in Japan's official development assistance for the country's diplomacy. This article originally appeared in World Politics Review. By Jason Miks (04/14/08)

Discusses the situation of the opposing DPJ party in the wake of Abe Shinzo's resignation and calls for compromise on the antiterrorism legislation. By Jason Miks. (first appeared in World Politics Review, 09/13/2007)